Door lock actuating mechanism



April 6, 1966 E. J. H. FIALA ETAL 3,248,143

DOOR LOCK ACTUAT;NG MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6, 1963 INVENTOR-S. ERNST J. H FIALA B DIETER DlECKMANN A TTORNEYS United States Patent 5 Claims. (Cl: 292-3363) The present invention relates to a pushabutton guided within a fixed grip or handle of the door for the actuation of the locking mechanism of motor vehicle doors.

With those locking or closure mechanisms, installed or built into the door handles of mot-or vehicles, which essentially consist of a cylindrical push-button displaceable within the housing and of a locking means operatively connected therewith, it happens that a layer or coating of ice is formed during the cold season and with water penetrated between the cylindrical push-button and the inner walls of the housing, which makes it almost impossible to actuate the push button. Furthermore, the penetration of dust or dirt particles into the space between the push-button and the inner housing walls may lead not only to damage of the chrome-plated surfaces of the push-button but also to jamming thereof, whereby similarly, the opening of the door is connected only with difficulties. Since the cylindrical push-button is provided with an annularly shaped abutment which abuts, in the rest position of the push-button, against the end face of an annular disk limiting the push-button in its movement toward the outside, a surface contact occurs between these two elements in the prior art by means of which the freezing of the abutment at the annular disk is further enhanced during the cold season.

The present invention is, therefore, concerned with producing a push-but-ton guided within a fixed handle, which remains easily actuatable also with the occurrence of the aforementioned unavoidable external influences.

The present invention essentially consists in that the part of the push button constructed as actuating or handle part is smaller in cross section than the cross section of the center part of the push-button, kept within a'guide ring during the rest position thereof 'within the housing. In this manner, during the displacement of the push-button toward the inside to open the door, the frictional resistance between the layer of ice and the surfaces of the center part of the push-button decreases with an increasing displacement path, whereby, when the actuating or handle part of the push-button is disposed within the guide ring, no connection exists any longer between the surface of the push-button and the layer or coating of ice.

The cross section of the center part may, according to the present invention, be made smaller than the cross section of the inner part of the push-button adjoining the center part, which inner part prefer-ably contacts the guide ring consisting of plastic material with a line contact. The push-button may thereby be constructed of step shape as seen in longitudinal cross section, whereby the cross sections of the individual steps may become smaller in the direction toward the outside.

However, provision may also be made according to the present invention so that the center part of the push-button is constructed conically whereby a further measure is produced by means of which the push-button may be more readily detached from a layer of ice disposed between the center part thereof and the guide ring, and therewith is displaceable without additional efforts.

In order to eliminate from the very start any freezing of the abutment against the end wall of the housing, provision is further made according to the present invention 3,248,143 Patented Apr. 26, 1966 ice that the inner rim of the guide ring firmly seated with a press fit against the inner walls of the housing and facing the inner part of the push-button is constructed conically so that the edge of the inner part forms with the cone of the guide ring only a line contact that avoids any freezing together of the two parts.

However, it is also possible within the spirit of the present invention that with a locking mechanism having a guide ring arranged within the housing of which the rim facing the inner part of the push-button is provided with a sharp edge, a conical intermediate part is provided between the conical center part and the inner part of the push-button, the surfaces of which are provided with a slope or inclination which is larger than the slope or inclinat-ion of the conical center part.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a'push-button-type door-lock actuating mechanism for actuating the door lock of motor vehicles which obviates by simple means the shortcomings and drawbacks encountered with the prior art constructions.

Another object of the present invention re'sidesin the provision of a push-button-type dock lock actuating mechanism arranged within a fixed door handle which prevents freezing together of the parts that would otherwise make it impossible to actuate the door lock.

A further object of the present invention resides in.the provision of a push-button-type door lock actuating mechanism for door handles which prevents the penetration of dust. particles to protect the chrome-plated surfaces of the push-button and prevents jamming thereof caused by the presence of foreign particles.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a push-button-type door lock .actuating mechanism arranged within a fixed door handle which not only assures easy actuation during all seasons but also prevents effectively any freezing together of the parts thereof.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, two embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a door handle provided with a locking mechanism shown in cross section of which the push-button is constructed of step shape as seen in longitudinal cross section, and

FIGURE 2 is a side-elevational view of a doorhandle with a modified embodiment of a door lock mechanism also shown in cross section, of which the push-button thereof is provided with a comically constructed center part as seen in longitudinal cross section.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are used through the two views to designate like parts, and more particularly to FIGURE 1, reference numeral 10 designates therein the door'handle of a passenger motor vehicle. The cast part arranged-laterally at the larger end of the door handle 10 for-ms the housing 11 for the door-lock push-button generally designated by reference numeral 13 which is kept under spring force by the spring 12. An annularly shaped web portion 14 is provided at the outwardly disposed section of the housing 11. A guide ring 15 made of plastic material which is securely seated with a press fit within the inner walls '11 of the housing 11 abuts against the inner surfaces 14' of the ring-shaped web portion 14. The inner rim portion 15' of the guide ring 15 is bevelled-off and serves as sealing seat for an edge portion 16 of the push-button 13 constructed of stepped shape as viewed in longitudinal cross section. The push button '13 consists of an outer part 13' constructed as actuating or handle part thereof,

of a center part 13" and of an inner part 1.3". The diameter of the actuating or handle part 13 is smaller than the diameter of the center part 13" whereas the diameter of the center part 13" is again smaller than the diameter of the inner part 13" so that the edge 16 resulting from the stepped arrangement contacts, with a non-actuated or released push-button 13, the inclined annular surfaces 1 5' of the guide ring with a line contact, whereby, on the one hand, the penetration of water into the inside of the housing is avoided and, on the other, the freezing of the inner part 13" constructed as abutment at the guide ring 15 is precluded from the very start. One end of the spring 12 abuts against a web portion 17 connected with the inner part 13" whereasa ring 18 secured at the, housing 11 is provided as the abutment for the other end of the spring 12. V

A bore 19 which does not extend clear therethrough is provided within the push-button 13 which serves for receiving therein a threaded bolt 20 which, in turn, carries at the free end thereof a'pressure foot actuating the closure or door-lock mechanism. However, the bore 19 can also be extended clear through the push-button 13 to the free rim portion of the outer handle or actuatingpart 13' in order that corresponding devices maybe installed therein for the accommodation of a key for locking the door.

In FIGURE 2, reference numeral designates the door handle of which a cast part arranged laterally at the larger end thereof forms the housing 31 for the push-butten 33 of the locking mechanism which is under the spring force of a spring 32. An annular-shaped web portion 34 is disposed at the outersection of the housing 31. A guide ring 35 made of plastic material which is firmly.

seated within the inner walls 31' 0f the housing 31 by means of a press fit, abuts against the inner surfaces 34' of the web portion 34. The guide ring 35 is rectangular in cross section. The inner edge portion 35 of guide ring 35 serves as sealing edge for the bevelled or sloping surface 36 of a part 36 of the push-button 33 which itself consists of an outer part constructed as actuating or handle portion 33', of a center part 33" and of an inner part 33". The outer actuating or handle part 33' which is constructed cylindrically has a smaller diameter than the center part 33" constructed conically as viewed in longitudinal cross section. The part 36' with the inclined or sloping surfaces 36 adjoins the center part 33". The inner part 33" adjoins the part 36', whereby the diameter of the inner part33' is larger than that of the center part 33". With a non-actuated or releasedpush-button 33 the edge 35 of the guide ring 35 contacts the surface 36 only along a line'contact, whereby, on the one hand, the penetration of water into the insideof the housing is avoided and on the other, the freezing together of the intermediate part 36, constructed as abutment, at the guide ring 35 cannot take place. One end of the spring 32 rests against a web portion 37 connected with the inner part 33 whereas a ring 38 secured in the housing 31 is provided as abutment for-the other end of the spring 32.

It is possible, without the use of any additional force bythe construction of the push-button 13 or 33 as well as of the guide ring 15 or 35 in accordance with the present invention, to displace the push-button 13 or 33 even in the presence of a layer of ice between the fixed part and the movable part of the door lock mechanism. 7

While we have shown and described two embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereof but'is susceptible of numerouschanges and modifications within the spirit and scope thereof; and We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A push button assembly guided within a fixed door handle for the actuation of a door lock for motor vehicles, comprising:

a'cylindrical housing provided with a cylindrical interior wall portion,. V

said housing being provided with a ring-shaped web having an inner face,

a cylindrical push button guide ring having a substantially rectangular cross-section including an end face and a cylindrical periphery, said guide ring being seated with apress fit in said cylindricalhousing with said cylindrical perphery in surface contact with said a cylindrical interior portion and said end face being in surface contact with said inner face of said ringshaped web, a

a push-button including three successive portions of 3 different diameters,

and sealing means'located between the two parts comprised by one of said successive portions and said guide ring, said sealing means including two sealing portions in line contact with each other, one of said sealing portions being constituted by surface means and the other of said sealing portions being constituted by edge means.

2. ,A push button assembly according to claim 1, wherein said three successive portions comprise a cylindrical first-portion, a cylindrical second portion of greater diameter than said first portion and a cylindrical third portion of greater diameter than said second portion. a

3. A push button assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical guide ring in the axial direction of said push button extends a distance substantially equal to the axial extent of the periphery of said cylindrical, second portion, said cylindrical guide ring surrounding said cylindrical second portion in the rest position of said push button. l

4. A push button assembly according to claim 1, wherein said one of said successive portions includes an inclined surface portion in juncture therewith forming said surface means, and said guide ring is provided with an edge portion forming said edge means.

5. A push button assembly according to claiml, where? in said cylindrical guide ring is provided with an inclined annular surface constituting said surface means, and an edge portion terminating said one of said successive portions and constituting'said edge means.

References Cited by the Examiner V UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,687,031 8/1954 Craig.

2,812,205 11/1957 Iakeway 292-3363 2,937,045 5/1960 Leslie an; 292336.3

. FOREIGN PATENTS.

570,848 2/1959 Canada.

M. HENSON WOOD, IR., Examiner. 

1. A PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY GUIDED WITHIN A FIXED DOOR HANDLE FOR THE ACTUATION OF A DOOR LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, COMPRISING: A CYLINDRICAL HOUSING PROVIDED WITH A CYLINDRICAL INTERIOR WALL PORTION, SAID HOUSING BEING PROVIDED WITH A RING-SHAPED WEB HAVING AN INNER FACE, A CYLINDRICAL PUSH BUTTON GUIDE RING HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION INCLUDING AN END FACE AND A CYLINDRICAL PERIPHERY, SAID GUIDE RING BEING SEATED WITH A PRESS FIT IN SAID CYLINDRICAL HOUSING WITH SAID CYLINDRICAL PERIPHERY IN SURFACE CONTACT WITH SAID CYLINDRICAL INTERIOR PORTION AND SAID END FACE BEING IN SURFACE CONTACT WITH SAID INNER FACE OF SAID RINGSHAPED WEB, A PUSH-BUTTON INCLUDING THREE SUCCESSIVE PORTIONS OF DIFFERENT DIAMETERS, AND SEALING MEANS LOCATED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTS COMPRISED BY ONE OF SAID SUCCESSIVE PORTIONS AND SAID GUIDE RING, SAID SEALING MEANS INCLUDING TWO SEALING PORTIONS IN LINE CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, ONE OF SAID SEALING PORTIONS BEING CONSTITUTED BY SURFACE MEANS AND THE OTHER OF SAID SEALING PORTIONS BEING CONSTITUTED BY EDGE MEANS. 